Lengthening Pingel Petcock Fuel Pickup Tube

[Thrud]

The fuel pickup tube on a Pingel 1311-CH petcock is shorter than the Honda petcock's tube.  I understand I can solder on an extra piece of tubing to match the OEM length.  There is a fine wire mesh covering the Pingel's pickup tube.  Do I have to pull hard to get this off, or should I just remove it with a knife?

I plan to use a Pingel inline fuel filter, so the lack of the mesh on the pickup tube shouldn't hurt me, no?

steve

[Ricky-D]

There have been a few threads discussing this procedure.

Heat can destroy the internal parts of the Pingel is the main caution when doing the modification. Search and you can read about this specific resultant problem.

The reports of miles remaining after going on reserve varies but it is somewhere between 10 and twenty miles with the Pingel in stock configuration.

The screen on the Pingel is a good filtering device and it is a shame to lose that screen and replace it with a filter. If the gain in reserve miles makes it seem practical to lengthen the standpipe of the Pingel for your particular riding style, it should be wholly your decision.

However there have also been quite a few threads regarding problems when adding an external fuel filter, all related to fuel starvation.  Additionally the issue of hydrolock is affected simply due to the fact that an external filter contains more gasoline which can contribute to this condition.

I installed a Pingel.  Kept it in original configuration and have had no problems. Haven't even used the reserve feature since I like to "break" every hundred miles or so and fill up at those times.

Just thought I'd mention these few things.

***

[valkyriemc]

Ricky has some points, when ever you alter the factory setup problems could appear. To date I haven't had any issues. The Golan 10 micron filter flows well. I really wanted to keep my 2K I/S original but the OEM P/C wore me out. So anyway I pulled the brass tube out of the OEM and soldered to the Pingel, you'll want to measure it and make it the same lenght as the original. Not much heat is required - worked great. It's tight getting the filter in there but it fits. These mods do take some effort. Good time to clean tank of fine dirt particles, and drain the carb bowls too. Hope this helps;


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/tech_archive.cgi?read=907742


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26910.msg244371.html#msg244371

[John U.]

Epoxy would work to lengthen the pickup tube while avoiding any heat related problems.
Of course the screen must still be replaced by an in-line filter. I have used Golans wth good results, and no starvation problems.
My preference is to leave the pickup tube and screen in their original configuration. Though I still believe that an inline fuel filter is a wise addition. Grit can work it's way through a screen and cause problems with float valve seating.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Golan petcock no screen, Golan 10 micron inline filter, no problems at all.  Have about 3/4 tank of reserve.

[Thrud]

I spoke with Shimon Golan at GS Performance today after looking at the specs of their petcock online at http://www.golanproducts.com/fuel_valves.html. 

Compared to the Pingel the Golan petcock is superior in design.  It has detents on the valve mechanism that tell you if you've engaged Off, On or Reserve.  Not so with the Pingel. 

I ordered the 76-375F-CL petcock that has the longer reserve tube, so I don't have to worry about a lower reserve level.  Also got the mini fuel filter.  All told, about $180 with 2-day shipping.  I'm happy.

[Ricky-D]

Compared to the Pingel the Golan petcock is superior in design.  It has detents on the valve mechanism that tell you if you've engaged Off, On or Reserve.  Not so with the Pingel. 

The fallacy of your statement belies the fact that the Pingel needs no detent since the far end of travel of the lever determines the action of the petcock.

At one end of travel the petcock is OFF

At the other end of travel the petcock is ON

Half way is reserve.

This configuration is incredibly simple and reliable.

The superior design is belonging to Pingel.

You've got it wrong.

***

[Chrisj CMA]

Just like scuba diving.  the old K-valve had a reserve on it and they were known to be unreliable so most proficiant divers just turned the reserve down so basically there was no reserve.  This became so popular US Divers started putting ou more and more straight "J" valves ith no reserve at all.

The principle here is the reserve does not give you any more air (or gas)  you still only have 5gallons or a tad over 6 for the IS. 

All the reserve does is bracket when the fuel valve kells teh motor.  Kinda like an idiot light, they call it an idiot light because you are an idiot if you trust them things too much.  And it is idiotic to trust an OEM petcock to teh point where you just ride till it dies and then hope you have more gas when you flip to reserve.  I promise you someday you will turn that OEM job to reserve and there will be no gas.

So, as in diving, I think it is irresponsible to break surface without a pressure guage, so you know how much air you have.

For motorcycling, you need a way to monitor fuel level.  For the IS there is a guage, and I have not heard too much negative about its accuracy....for the std and tourer there is the trip guage.

Along with the trip guage you need to understand conditions.  If you are against a strong headwind, pulling a trailer, going up a mountain.......realize you are going to use way more gas........know how your bike performs and how much gas it uses under these conditions.

Bottom line, you SHOULD KNOW when its time to stop for gas without having a fuel valve tell you.........thats just irresponsible if you ask me.

So I said all that to say this.  What in the world does it matter how large reserve is...........get gas when you need gas not when the bike reminds you....it may not remind you

[Gryphon Rider]

I wonder if there is some way to adapt the Honda screen to the Pingel valve so you can lengthen the Pingel intake tube without needing an extra filter.

[John Schmidt]

I wonder if there is some way to adapt the Honda screen to the Pingel valve so you can lengthen the Pingel intake tube without needing an extra filter.

The diameter of the extension tube is greater than the diameter of the screen. As for soldering on an extension, it's not done in the same manner as soldering an electrical connection. It's done similar to what a plumber does...you sweat it on. Works fine, the heat it applied 2-3" above the bottom where the more delicate parts are and I used a pair of loose fitting vice grips as a heat sink. When applying the heat, you don't concentrate it on the tube, only enough to cause the solder to melt and it flows into the joint rather quickly. Took only a couple minutes at best, and when done and the grips were removed, I could immediately touch the lower portion of the tube without getting burned.